SWAT: Swat Deputy Commissioner Shahid Mahmood chaired a high-level meeting on Tuesday and chalked out a comprehensive plan to facilitate tourists who might flock the scenic valley this Eid.
The meeting was attended by the regional and district high officials of all line departments including DPO, all ACs, TMOs, civil defence officer, XEN highways, PD NHA, Rescue 1122 emergency officer, regional information officer and representative of Pakistan Army.
It was decided that TMA and health officials would regularly check the quality and prices of foodstuff at shops and hotels.
Swat DPO was tasked to take immediate steps for security, safety, comfortable stay and related facilitation of the tourists with the active involvement of regular officers, traffic wardens and tourist police, special branch and DSB. Civil defence, Swat levy, Rescue 1122 and TMAs of all seven tehsils will equally contribute to making all the arrangements successful.
Civil defence has already provided 300 razakars and 250 Swat levy personnel to the district police for deployment during Eid days, who were being properly trained for the purpose to facilitate the vehicular traffic and tourists on the highways right from Marghazar to Kalam and elsewhere in Swat. It was also decided to cancel the weekly and Eid holidays of security, highway officials, TMAs and health officials.
During the meeting, it was also decided that all roads, either minor or major, and highways would be cleared from every kind of hurdles for smooth passage of traffic, and no parking or tax collection would be allowed on roadsides. Parking lots, to be set up on vast open places, would essentially be staffed for the quick disposal and dealing of commuters while car lifting vehicles and cranes would be available at a suitable distance to cope with any eventuality.
Similarly, Rescue 1122 and all health centres on roadsides would have special arrangements for the health cover whereas rescue teams including divers, doctors and paramedical staff with sophisticated first aid equipment would be deployed on main points.
Moreover, razakars on important river banks would properly guide the tourists to avoid any mishap while taking selfies and other activities.
It was decided that light traffic mostly consisting of tourists would be diverted to newly constructed Shamozai road right from Chakdara and Thana to Kabal, Kanju, Matta and Behrain, whereas the heavy traffic including trucks, containers and road liners would be shifted to the Landaki to Barikot road alongside the right bank of Swat river.
The DC asked the NHA and PKHA authorities to temporarily halt construction work on GT road from Landaki to Qamber bypass with necessary repairs, filling of culverts and regular water sprinkling for smooth passage of vehicular traffic. He asked the TMAs to install guiding boards and pana-flexes on various junctions and turns of highways and bridges for the facilitation of tourists, along with appointing special squads for garbage disposal and cleanliness at important points during Eid days.
Shahid Mehmood also directed the TMAs to depute technical teams for inspection of the children playlands in the parks. He also ordered arrests of those officials and individuals who did not cooperate with the district administration in this regard.
BY HAROON SIRAJ